U.S./Israel Parallels on Terrorism

With both nations facing a similar war against terrorism, it is wrong for the United States to demand more of Israel than it asks of itself.

The parallels between the dangers now faced by The United States and those long confronted by Israel become more striking every day. On Sept. 11, the United States was victimized by an outrageous act of terrorism directed against innocent civilians. Our entirely appropriate military response has been carefully calculated to minimize civilian casualties. Yet inevitably there have been some. These deaths and injuries of Muslims have been used by our enemies to cast us into the role of powerful aggressors and those who support terrorism into the role of helpless victims.

A similar moral inversion has been directed against Israel for decades. Even before the Six Day War of 1967 and Israel's subsequent occupation of the West Bank, Israel was victimized by terrorism directed against children at play, worshipers at prayer, women at lunch, and most recently the murder of an elected official. When it has taken entirely appropriate military action in response, also designed to minimize civilian casualties, it has been condemned for the collateral consequences that inevitably accompany any military action.

When it has attempted to target only terrorist leaders - as with the recent policy of targeted assassination of terrorists who were planning future murders - even the United States joined the chorus of condemnation. Now our president has directed the CIA to target Osama bin Laden for assassination, and congressional leaders are applauding this order as designed to minimize the collateral killing of innocent Afghans.

The American Bill of Rights, though designed to preserve liberty, is not a suicide pact.

Israel's response to the widespread terrorism it faces has included administrative detention of suspected terrorists who cannot be brought to trial without endangering undercover sources of information. Again, there has been criticism against Israel (including from me). Now the United States has detained more than 700 people without trial and that number is likely to increase. Until recently Israel has occasionally employed what it calls "moderate physical pressure" - a euphemism for non-lethal torture - against suspected terrorists who are believed to know the location of "ticking bombs." Its Supreme Court recently outlawed this practice, but now there are voices within our own FBI seeking authority to use torture to learn of imminent terrorist threats.

Logan Airport in Boston just has hired the former head of security at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, and it is likely that American air travelers may be faced with the kind of tough security that Israeli air travelers have long had to endure.

The big picture is that daily life in America will come to resemble what daily life has been like in Israel for many years. We will go about our business, but always with one eye on the ever-present potential for terrorism.

Those who have committed terrorism against both the United States and Israel have grievances which they claim justify their resort to terrorism. The terrorists, and those who support them, ask us to understand the "root causes" of their despicable acts and to change our policies in response to them. When we do, we encourage other groups with perceived grievances to resort to terrorism as an effective means for achieving change.

These parallels should make Americans better understand the tragic choices confronted by the only American-type democracy in the Middle East which shares our values. The late Justice Arthur Goldberg, a strong civil libertarian, once observed that the American Bill of Rights, though designed to preserve liberty, is not a suicide pact.

Both nations are at war with evil forces determined to destroy the democratic values we jointly espouse.

Both the United States and Israel feel the need to defend themselves against terrorism, without unduly curtailing the rights of its citizens and even those suspected of terrorist acts. Both countries also recognize that they will make mistakes, but the difference between a democracy, which respects life, and a terrorist regime, which does not, is how it responds to these inevitable mistakes. When a young Palestinian boy was last year caught in the crossfire between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian gunmen, and died in his father's arms, there was near universal mourning among the Israelis for that unfortunate and accidental death, just as there is regret among Americans when an Afghan child is killed by an American bomb. This is to be contrasted with the dancing in the streets and the celebratory firing of guns by many Palestinians whenever an Israeli or Jewish child is deliberately murdered by Palestinian terrorists.

When the Israeli extremist Baruch Goldstein murdered Muslims at prayer several years ago, he was condemned across the political spectrum in Israel, with only a tiny number of zealots approving of his suicidal act. Contrast that response to the rock star status accorded suicide bombers by so many Palestinians.

The United States and Israel have been the primary victims of terrorism. They have employed comparable countermeasures in their laudable efforts to defend and protect their civilian populations against terror. It is wrong for the United States to demand more of Israel then it asks of itself.

Both nations are at war with evil forces determined to destroy the democratic values we jointly espouse. Our destinies are intertwined by common dangers and common values. We must stick together to defeat the evil forces of terror.

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About the Author

Alan M. Dershowitz is the Felix Frankfurter professor of law at Harvard Law School, served as an attorney in several high-profile court cases, and is a sought-after commentator on the Arab–Israeli conflict. He is the author of some 25 books, including The Case for Israel.

Visitor Comments: 7

(7)
clarice feldman,
May 6, 2002 12:00 AM

Lawsuits against EU and US

Prof Dershowitz should sue the EU for funding PA terror and the US to enjoin further contributions for UNRWA.It is unspeakable that money from these groups goes to teach anti-Semitism,to fund terror and to shield those who engage in such actions.

(6)
Anonymous,
November 9, 2001 12:00 AM

Now America walks in Israel's shoes-

I'm friends with Mr.Dershowitz's "Midwood" cousins. I am in total agreement. It's a shame that it took Sept. 11th for more people to comment and comprehend that Israel has been dealing with this terror for over 53 years. However, not enough people realize this and not enough comment or commiserate with Israel publicly. Recently, at a townhall meeting we asked our Congressman Anthony Weiner(Bklyn.), why there is a double set of standards for actions against terrorists-Israel is always condemmed for the same actions. He replied that the U.S. has "alliances of conviences" mostly for oil.He recently took some
congressmen on a fact finding trip to Israel. I am proud to say that as my
congressman, he is one of the few , who
recognizes that Israel is our one true friend in the Middle East.He understands that "we both cannot fight terrorism with one hand tied behind our back".
As long as we continue to worship oil, we will be tied to Saudi Arabia and they are protecting Osama's family and wealth. Lastly, proportionately per population- Israel has lost the same amount of people to terrorism as we have. One innocent death is the same as one hundred or 5,000. And finally Mr. Dershowitz has stopped being so liberal. Maybe he has spent more time in Maalot Dafna??

(5)
Merwinna Stevens,
November 9, 2001 12:00 AM

Thank you

Dear Mr. Dershowitz,

I am glad someone in your position sees the truth!

My prayer is that the leaders of the United States recognize that our destiny has been linked with that of Israel by our common enemies.

Thank you for writing this article.

Sincerely,

Merwinna Stevens
aka "Miriam"

(4)
Chava Shoshanah Travis,
November 7, 2001 12:00 AM

Washington is Blind

It's too bad that our government can't see the parallels between the United States and Israel, although Israel sees it plain as day. You don't see Prime Minister Sharon urging Pres. Bush to negotiate with Osama bin Laden, or pressing our President to give bin Laden a state. (Which one? We have 50 of them.) If that sounds ridiculous to Americans, which it should, then why does our government feel it has the right impose those same ridiculous ideas on Israel?

This article hit the nail on the head. I wonder if any of the powers that be will ever see it?

(3)
Rob Mahaffy,
November 5, 2001 12:00 AM

Couldn't have said it better

This article reflects my views of the totally inverted view that the media projects about terrorists and the people that must deal with them. It truly got to the point but further took me by surprise when I read who the author was. I have been on the other side of the vast majority of Mr Dershowitz's views throughout the years. I'm glad to see that we can find common ground here.

(2)
james cook,
November 4, 2001 12:00 AM

Israel should have a free hand

(1)
Shira Levin,
November 4, 2001 12:00 AM

US/Israel: Paraelles in Terrorism

Americans have had to face what those in Israel have faced. Death at the hands of terrorists for the crime of being Jews and "occupying Palestian land." Our crime was in being Americans and supporting Israel. It's time our government recognize and support Israel's efforts to protect it's citizens.

I live in rural Montana where the Cholov Yisrael milk is difficult to obtain and very expensive. So I drink regular milk. What is your view on this?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Jewish law requires that there be rabbinic supervision during the milking process to ensure that the milk comes from a kosher animal. In the United States, many people rely on the Department of Agriculture's regulations and controls as sufficiently stringent to fulfill the rabbinic requirement for supervision.

Most of the major Kashrut organizations in the United States rely on this as well. You will therefore find many kosher products in America certified with a 'D' next to the kosher symbol. Such products – unless otherwise specified on the label – are not Cholov Yisrael and are assumed kosher based on the DOA's guarantee.

There are many, however, do not rely on this, and will eat only dairy products that are designated as Cholov Yisrael (literally, "Jewish milk"). This is particularly true in large Jewish communities, where Cholov Yisrael is widely available.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein wrote that under limited conditions, such as an institution which consumes a lot of milk and Cholov Yisrael is generally unavailable or especially expensive, American milk is acceptable, as the government supervision is adequate to prevent non-kosher ingredients from being added.

It should be added that the above only applies to milk itself, which is marketed as pure cow's milk. All other dairy products, such as cheeses and butter, may contain non-kosher ingredients and always require kosher certification. In addition, Rabbi Feinstein's ruling applies only in the United States, where government regulations are considered reliable. In other parts of the world, including Europe, Cholov Yisrael is a requirement.

There are additional esoteric reasons for being stringent regarding Cholov Yisrael, and because of this it is generally advisable to consume only Cholov Yisroel dairy foods.

In 1889, 800 Jews arrived in Buenos Aires, marking the birth of the modern Jewish community in Argentina. These immigrants were fleeing poverty and pogroms in Russia, and moved to Argentina because of its open door policy of immigration. By 1920, more than 150,000 Jews were living in Argentina. Juan Peron's rise to power in 1946 was an ominous sign, as he was a Nazi sympathizer with fascist leanings. Peron halted Jewish immigration to Argentina, introduced mandatory Catholic religious instruction in public schools, and allowed Argentina to become a haven for fleeing Nazis. (In 1960, Israeli agents abducted Adolf Eichmann from a Buenos Aires suburb.) Today, Argentina has the largest Jewish community in Latin America with 250,000, though terror attacks have prompted many young people to emigrate. In 1992, the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 32 people. In 1994, the Jewish community headquarters in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 85 people. The perpetrators have never been apprehended.

Be aware of what situations and behaviors give you pleasure. When you feel excessively sad and cannot change your attitude, make a conscious effort to take some action that might alleviate your sadness.

If you anticipate feeling sad, prepare a list of things that might make you feel better. It could be talking to a specific enthusiastic individual, running, taking a walk in a quiet area, looking at pictures of family, listening to music, or reading inspiring words.

While our attitude is a major factor in sadness, lack of positive external situations and events play an important role in how we feel.

[If a criminal has been executed by hanging] his body may not remain suspended overnight ... because it is an insult to God (Deuteronomy 21:23).

Rashi explains that since man was created in the image of God, anything that disparages man is disparaging God as well.

Chilul Hashem, bringing disgrace to the Divine Name, is one of the greatest sins in the Torah. The opposite of chilul Hashem is kiddush Hashem, sanctifying the Divine Name. While this topic has several dimensions to it, there is a living kiddush Hashem which occurs when a Jew behaves in a manner that merits the respect and admiration of other people, who thereby respect the Torah of Israel.

What is chilul Hashem? One Talmudic author stated, "It is when I buy meat from the butcher and delay paying him" (Yoma 86a). To cause someone to say that a Torah scholar is anything less than scrupulous in meeting his obligations is to cause people to lose respect for the Torah.

Suppose someone offers us a business deal of questionable legality. Is the personal gain worth the possible dishonor that we bring not only upon ourselves, but on our nation? If our personal reputation is ours to handle in whatever way we please, shouldn't we handle the reputation of our nation and the God we represent with maximum care?

Jews have given so much, even their lives, for kiddush Hashem. Can we not forego a few dollars to avoid chilul Hashem?

Today I shall...

be scrupulous in all my transactions and relationships to avoid the possibility of bringing dishonor to my God and people.

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